Best Toothpick for the money

qncygnnr

qncygnnr

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Aug 6, 2012
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I did a search and don't think this post is redundant. If so, just direct me the correct thread. Thanks

What is the "best" production (new or used) Medium to Large Toothpick you can buy? $50-$75 - $75-$100 - $100-$200 price ranges. By best - I mean the best combination of looks, steel quality, etc for the dollars. I've got the urge to get a nice Toothpick ... Always thought they look sleek and serious. I've got a yellow 4th Gen mini Toothpick from Bear which I carry often, but I'd like to get something with a bit more panache. I'm looking hard at Queen, Canal Street, and Great Eastern. Is there a maker out there I'm overlooking?

Thanks,
Scott
 
I have a Queen (D2 steel and Cocobolo handles), and IMO it's the best bang for the buck among the current offerings. You could spend more for the S&M stamp, but you're not likely to see a huge jump in quality (and you'll go from the awesome D2 steel to the almost-awesome 420 steel).
Case's toothpicks aren't bad, but I haven't seen one produced in a reasonable size these days; they're all tiny. If you want a vintage one, be prepared to pay through the nose. They're not cheap.
Does Canal Street make a toothpick? I've never seen/heard of one from them... Can anybody confirm or deny?
Great Eastern's toothpicks are really nice also; I've got one of theirs, and I use it a lot. The 1095 steel is great, as we've all discussed, and of course the overall quality of the knife is top-notch. However, it's only 4" long, so it's smaller than I like my toothpicks to be.

Hope this helps... Good luck!
 
CollectorKnives.net (dealer member knifeswapper) has the Schatt & Morgan File and Wire toothpick still listed as available. ATS-34 steel, wormgroove bone and well under $100 shipped. The Queens in D-2 are pretty decent, too.
 
The GEC's are a bit different from most toothpicks, as the blades are thicker. I don't normally care for the toothpick design, but I like the GEC.
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Bought a "black ebony" Tidioute Toothpick and a Queen small Toothpick from CollectorKnives. Fantastic selection of exactly what I'm looking for. I was tempted by the S&M Toothpick pointed out by Yablanowitz but I just could not get into the gray color - I'll wait for a color I think I'll like better on a "big" Toothpick. I'll post some pictures when they arrive. Thanks for all the great input.

Scott
 
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Queen City Large Toothpick in the back (black plastic/1095)
Once sharpened a great knife that gets carried often
Queen D2 Large Toothpick with bonestag next to back.
Almost twice the price. Arrived sharp & is a nice knife.
(the others are a Case Slimline Trapper and older Shrade Canoe)

If you want to go custom this K Coats Toothpick is a winner.
Above the OP's price range, but I had to throw it in :)
ATS34 and Christmas tree celluloid scales
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Out of them all, the black Queen City gets the most carry (that and the Case Slimline).
For the money & if you are willing to spend some time sharpening, I'd say it's the best bang for the buck.
 
Here's my small collection of toothpicks. Just got the ebony GEC-Tidioute Toothpick today ... first GEC I've bought and it definitely won't be the last. The overall quality and feel of this knife is beyond my expectations. It came out of the tube sharp enough to cut newspaper. The size is perfect for EDC and since the blade is under 3" it's safe to carry in Illinois. I had a productive discussion with "knifeswapper" and believe that I got the most bang for my buck with this new Tidioute.

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OIC, we're talking knives in this thread. I thought it was about clean your teeth out type toothpicks and I got excited.
 
Hans17,
Sounds like you need a website and forum for primative and traditional dental care ...:D
Scott
 
qncygnnr said:
Here's my small collection of toothpicks. Just got the ebony GEC-Tidioute Toothpick today ... first GEC I've bought and it definitely won't be the last. The overall quality and feel of this knife is beyond my expectations. It came out of the tube sharp enough to cut newspaper. The size is perfect for EDC and since the blade is under 3" it's safe to carry in Illinois. I had a productive discussion with "knifeswapper" and believe that I got the most bang for my buck with this new Tidioute.

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Looks like your GEC Toothpick has the beefier clip blade they use on the Powderhorn. I like it a little better than the original toothpick blade, I think. Nice one, looks great with Ebony covers!
 
I have a Schatt and Morgan, Queen and Case, all >4". The Schatt and Morgan is the best, but it dates from 2000 and is hard to find. I've seen a small and medium S&M that were very well made. The S&Ms usually have a nice swedge. The Queen is very light weight and well made. The D2 is excellent and the contruction is strong. The Case is also quite nice, just not as refined as the queen. I dislike Great Eastern toothpicks and can't bring myself to buy one. I believe the slim profile of a toothpick is one of their best features and Great Eastern's are too fat and too thick IMHO.
 
I agree "brownshoe" - the GEC does not have the distinctive outline of a traditional toothpick. It's a bit of a hybrid IMO and combines some of the features that I like in an EDC. I really dig that handle shape (and length for subtle pocket carry) and a stout enough blade for almost any situation you'd put a non-locking folder into. The GEC is proportional - and feels good in my hand. A true large toothpick would probably scare the bejabbers out of the local soccer moms and some of my cubicle monkey co-workers if they saw me paring an apple with it. The true toothpick gives off a certain vibe ... very old world, and dangerous. That's why I'm likely to collect some nice pieces (like S&M) and carry GEC's during the week. I can carry a trad toothpick on the weekends with less potential hassle. I feel like I can have the best of both worlds - I really can have my cake and eat it too. When I find the right trad medium toothpick at the right price I won't hesitate to grab it. Shorter (< 5") trad toothpicks with thin blades are somewhat hard to find where I live in Western Illinois.
 
A Trad Forum member made a 2006 S&M Toothpick available to me at a great price. I bought it immediately! It arrived this morning and I'm well pleased with the fit and finish of this knife. :thumbup: It's handle is the same length as my GEC with a slightly smaller girth. The blade is "classic" toothpick ... probably going to have to own more than one of these. I'll post some pictures when I get a chance.
 
These Case Classic Toothpicks aren't too hard to find:

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Here's the one I was able to get for a pretty good price:

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New S&M - Wormgroove looks better in person and the amber color is great. Thanks Jeff.
Size comparison to Frontier Large Cattleman. Size comparison to Queen City "large" and Tidioute "medium" toothpicks. This new S&M has a very balanced feel and classic toothpick lines.
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S7M_4.jpg

When I asked the orignal question I thought I'd be able to reduce this to a simple comparison. It can't be done! I'm just going to have to continue collecting toothpicks until I can answer my own question. Probably take years and dozens of knives - sometimes sacrifices must be made.;)
 
I'd say any Queen product (or made by Queen for other companies) is the best at any price. S&M is of course Queen.
 
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I believe that you have the Medium Toothpick 4 & 1/4" closed from the 3rd File & Wire Series there qncygnnr. Queen also made 5" closed Toothpick in the 1st F&W Series, both with ATS-34 blade steel. Looks good qncygnnr!:cool:
Enjoy,
Dave
 
Dave,
Jeff (black mamba) coined a name for this knife ... lightning. Its brother (from the same series) - the single blade gunstock with bowie clip is aptly named thunder! I'm working on getting some pictures of "Thunder & Lightning" taken by a friend who is a professional photographer. These are the only knives I don't carry. The search is now on for a "used" Thunder for EDC. I really like the amber worm groove covers on both knives. The Morning Ash Wormgroove just puts me off or I'd already have the S&M F&W 5" toothpick. :grumpy:
Scott D
 
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